Press Statement
“Youth Engagement For Global Action” 2020. As the United Nations turns 75, and with only ten years remaining to make the 2030 Agenda a reality for all, trust in public institutions is eroding. At the international level, against the backdrop of an increasingly polarized world, the international system of governance is currently undergoing a crisis of legitimacy and relevance. In particular, this crisis is rooted in the need to strengthen the capacity of the international system to act and implement solutions to pressing challenges and threats such as contemporary conflicts and humanitarian emergencies, as well as global challenges, such as the COVID-19 outbreak and climate change.
Enabling the engagement of youth in formal political mechanisms does increase the fairness of political processes by reducing democratic deficits, contributes to better and more sustainable policies, and also has symbolic importance that can further contribute to restore trust in public institutions, especially among youth. Moreover, the vast majority of challenges humanity currently faces, such as the COVID-19 outbreak and climate change require concerted global action and the meaningful engagement and participation of young people to be addressed effectively.
The 2020 International Youth day is to shed light on the need to enable the engagement of youth by making local, national and global institutions more inclusive for the purpose of strengthening their capacity and relevance to achieve global action.
It is obvious that developing countries aspiring to attain development are still struggling to meet up with the global standards, hence, the need for youth engagement in governance and formulation of policies and programmes by the Government in all sectors.
As the giant of Africa, Nigeria youth must set the pace for development in the African continent. But that can be achieved when a a holistic approach, attention, and support is shifted towards youth development.
As the economy keeps biting harder, the youth are always the victims of poverty, unemployment and other vices that are accrued to these factors. Despite the vast potentials in the Nigerian youth and the abundant resources and opportunities spread across different sectors of the nation and the economy, the youth are constantly faced with challenges of underdevelopment in all spheres.
The theme for the 2020 International Youth Day is timely and aimed at awakening the consciousness of the youth as the engine room of the society. As youth, it is pertinent to advocate for a referendum that seeks to enable full blown participation in formulation of policies and programmes of Government and to also discourage over dependence and recycling of the same crop of people in governance in order to give chance for the youth to come up with fresh ideas that will fit in with global standards.
The case in the North East and our immediate constituency leaves the youth in a state of dilemma as the average youth only thinks of alternative measures to remain relevant in the political space and ensure he/she gets a fair share of the national cake by indulging in all kinds of vices, a situation that was adjudged to have fuelled the spike in lawlessness across the country with many innocent people falling victim.
Though taking the laws into one’s hand to justify reasons for a particular course of action remains unconstitutional. However, the truth remains that unless the government take painstaking measures to better the lives of the youth in the area of governance and challenges associated with the youth, the peace we preach and our religious beliefs as we are known with can’t neutralize the barbaric and lawless act been perpetrated almost on daily basis; not even the ongoing war against such tendencies can bring it under control.
Poor educational standard has far reaching implication in the mannerism of the youth and their ability to standout in a world of competitiveness. It is worthy to note that only education prepares the mind of the youth to think towards development and to contribute their quota to the nation’s economic development.
Quality education is a universal right and not a privilege (SDG goal 4). In the North Eastern part of the country we can’t debate or argue with our counterparts across other regions within country when it comes to qualitative education. Our Leaders must rise to the task of providing qualitative and free education across the region.
In Adamawa State, we are not unmindful of the efforts of the Governor Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s Government which is gradually reviving the lost glory of the educational sector within the State and the rolled out plans to empower the youths. We hope and pray that all that the Government have in store for the youths will come into fruition.
I urge the youth to take advantage of the opportunities and programmes introduced by the governments at all levels with utmost seriousness. Apart from the benefit you drive both skillfully and financially this will also prepare your minds for the task ahead as leaders of tomorrow.
LINE UP OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE 2020 YOUTH DAY CELEBRATION IN ADAMAWA STATE.
PROGRAM
Press briefing
12th Aug. 2020
Virtual Conference:
13th Aug. 2020
Zoom
Visitation:
Specialist Hospital Yola.
Prayers:
14th Aug. 2020
Jumma’at Mosque
Games:
15th Aug. 2020
GMMC Yola
Impromptu speaking Competition:
UBE Hall
Prayers:
16th Aug. 2020
Church
*Build the Youth, Build the Nation.*
*HAPPY 2020 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY TO ALL ADAMAWA STATE YOUTH*
Signed:
Amb. Ajine K. Delo
Chairman, NYCN
Adamawa State.
